Thousands Flock to Stone Lake for 39th Annual Cranberry Festival

The cars were piling in with smiling faces Saturday morning for the small community of Stone Lake's annual fall get together - Cranberry Festival.

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"It's just nice to be out and see a lot of people around," said Alexis Newland, from Cameron, WI.

"I love that it brings so many people to a small community. It's a very small town and it brings people from all over," said Lynn Berghuis, from Shell Lake,WI.

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President of the Cranberry Festival, Shirley Armstrong says the 39 year tradition has grown over the years.

"It was started by four local business women that decided that we should have some kind of event to help boost economy this time of the year," said Armstrong. "It started out with maybe 30 booths and maybe a couple hundred people."

Now, more than 300 vendors line the street for the festival.

"You can eat, and shop. There's entertainment. We've got vendors that sell a variety of articles that are handcrafted," said Armstrong.

"I have ten pounds of cranberries, five are for my daughter in Madison and five for me to cook, bake, eat them raw," said Berghuis.

The possibilities are endless at the fest - everything from cranberry cheesecake, and donuts to cranberry brats were served.

"We've got all kind of food," Armstrong added.

It's more than just a good time to spend with friends and family though. Armstrong says it's also raising money to go towards a good cause.

"We raise money and give it to the non profit children's organizations in Sawyer County and Washburn County," said Armstrong.

In past years, they have been able to raise anywhere from $25,000 to $40,000 to put back into the local community. The hope is the yearly celebration continues to bring out thousands, rain or shine, as it has in the past.

"People come for the fest whether it's 90 degrees or if it's 20 degrees and snowing. This is an annual event for all of us, Armstrong said.

Nearly 30,000 people are expected to attend the annual event and the festivities continue through Saturday night.